Debunking Five Common Myths About Truck Safety
Many myths abound about truck safety that you should avoid falling for as a truck driver or another road user. The following are some of the most prevalent myths about truck safety that you should avoid believing.
Myth #1: Truck Drivers Don’t Have to Worry About Being Involved in an Accident, as They Are Protected in the Cab
False: Passenger vehicle occupants, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists are more at risk of suffering severe injuries when an accident occurs than truck drivers. However, truck drivers can also suffer severe injuries in a collision. When an accident happens, the truck driver can get thrown around inside the cab, or they could get ejected from the vehicle. This can result in severe injuries or even death. When a truck accident occurs, any unrestrained items in the cab can become projectiles due to the force of the collision. Being struck by an object can result in serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries. Additionally, if there is hazardous cargo in a truck, an accident can result in burns, neurological and respiratory damage, and explosion injuries even to the truck driver.
Myth #2: People Who Live in Residential Areas Do Not Have to Worry About Trucks
False: If you live in a residential area, you may think that you have nothing to worry about since delivery and waste trucks slow down, but the truth is that a truck traveling at any speed has the potential to cause severe injuries and even death. You must be careful when on the highway, in parking lots, and in your neighborhood. If you have children, always keep an eye on them when they are out playing and teach them to be careful around trucks, regardless of the speed of the truck.
Myth #3: A Truck Will Protect You, So There Is No Need To Wear a Safety Belt
False: While large trucks often prevail in a motor vehicle collision, this does not mean that truck drivers should not wear safety belts. Both truck drivers and passengers should wear seat belts. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, almost 400 of the drivers and occupants of large trucks who die yearly are found to have not been wearing seat belts.
Myth #4: Safety Belts Are Not Necessary for Low-speed Driving
False: Some truck drivers believe that if they are driving at a slow speed, there is no need for them to wear a safety belt, but the truth is that a safety belt is necessary regardless of how fast or slow a truck is traveling.
Myth #5: I am Not a Truck Driver, So Truck Safety Is Not in My Control
False: As a pedestrian, passenger vehicle driver, bicyclist, or motorcyclist, there are several things you can do to reduce the risk of a truck accident. For example, as a driver, you can reduce your risk of being hit by a truck by driving defensively. And as a pedestrian, you can decrease your risk of being hit by a truck by increasing visibility and using crosswalks.
Legal Help Is Available
After suffering injuries in a truck accident, our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm can help you determine if you have a claim for compensation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Orlando, West Palm Beach, Ocala, Daytona Beach, Bradenton, Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, Fort Myers, Naples, and Melbourne areas.
